Means of assembling modular ventilating unit to a ceiling structure



June 27, 1967 J T E ET AL 3,327,606

MEANS OF ASSEMBLING MODULAR VENTILATING UNIT TO A CEILING STRUCTURE Filed July 22, 1965 .3 Sheets-Sheet 1 I N VEN TOR. foMwva J Z 074 c finm/srx [4350 M $444 w P ATTORNEYS w E. J. LITTLE ET AL MEANS OF ASSEMB June 27, 1967 LING MODULAR VENTILATING UNIT TO A CEILING STRUCTURE 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed July 22, 1965 INVENTOR. fo/v/u/va J 1/7725 June 27, 1967 E. J. LITTLE ET AL MEANS OF ASSEMBLING MODULAR VENTILATING UNIT TO A CEILING STRUCTURE 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed July 22, 1965 INVENTOR. 0MU4/0 [/7745 av/very [4550 W 1% wmys United States Patent 3,327,606 MEANS OF ASSEMBLING MODULAR VENTILAT- ING UNIT T0 A CEILING STRUCTURE Edmund J. Little, Chicago, and Kenneth H. Lasso, Cicero,

Ill., assignors to The Pyle-National Company, Chicago,

11]., a corporation of New Jersey Filed July 22, 1965, Ser. No. 474,124 11 Claims. (Cl. 98-40) This invention relates to a method of assembling a ventilating module to a ceiling suspension unit and in particular to a ventilating module having permanently mounted fast acting attachment means for being rapidly assembled within a suspension runner network.

Modular ventilating systems adapted to large oflice areas, manufacturing plants, and other multi-unit structures generally employ an inner ceiling spaced beneath the principal structural ceiling. The purpose of this arrangement is to provide a plenum through which the distribution or return ducts and other associated equipment can be deployed for most eflicient installation and operation.

In addition, however, the provision for a continuous plenum beneath the structural ceiling turns an otherwise fixed system into a flexible tool for meeting the changing requirements of the plant or facility being ventilated. In particular, due to the ready accessibility of the plenum through the inner ceiling, the ventilating system may be easily tapped at a variety of points for either supply or return to meet immediate ventilating needs. However, this flexibility can only be fully utilized if the ventilating module, which is the final air distribution product, lends itself to eliminating the need of coordinating different types of crafts, for example, by eliminating the need of coordinating the work of the ceiling and ventilating contractors.

The same features that would promote interchangeability of ceiling modules would also encourage more eflicient installation of a new modular ventilating system. For instance, it is usual that the inner ceiling be composed of mineral or fiber glass tiles which are splined within horizontal flanges of a suspension girder or runner network. The result is that the ceiling tiles together with the ventilating modules combine to form an interlocking floating system. It is clear, then, that major attachment operations associated with the installation of ventilating modules would greatly disrupt and disturb this otherwise finished ceiling. -On the contrary, an easily interchangeable module could be installed without undesirable effects on the surrounding system.

Therefore, it is an object of this invention to provide an air distribution system having increased flexibility for efiiciently meeting changing ventilation requirements.

It is also an object of this invention to provide a ventilating module which may be readily and conveniently interchanged within a latticework of ceiling modules.

It is another object of this invention to provide a ventilating module which may be effectively installed after the positioning of surrounding ceiling tiles in a ceiling suspension system.

It is a further object of this invention to provide a ventilating module having permanently mounted attachment clips for engaging and disengaging runner flanges of a ceiling suspension network.

These and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will be understood in greater detail from the following description and the associated drawings wherein reference numerals are utilized in designating an illustrative embodiment.

On the drawings:

FIGURE 1 is a bottom plan view of an interlocked module type ceiling of the so-called mineral tile type showing the relative positioning of a suply duct and associated air distribution units as provided in accordance with this invention;

FIGURE 2 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view taken on line IIII of FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 3 is an enlarged exploded view of an air distribution or return unit showing the quick attachment means of the present invention;

FIGURE 4 is a cross-sectional view with parts removed of an air distribution or return unit taken on line IVIV of FIGURE 1 and showing the attachment clips shown in FIGURE 3;

FIGURE 5 is a cross-sectional View taken on line VV of FIGURE 1 showing an alternative form of readily engageable attachment clips in accordance with this invention;

FIGURE 6 is a View similar to FIGURE 4 showing an alternate manner of securing a panel to the shell of the distribution or return, and

FIGURE 7 is a view similar to FIGURE 5 illustrating the combined use of both the principal shell attachment clips andthe alternate provision for securing the panel thereto.

As shown on the drawing:

An air distribution system utilizing the advantages of this invention comprises generally a series of modular ventilating units shown generally at 10 deployed within an inner ceilin 11 spaced beneath a principal structural ceiling 12. This inner ceiling 11 is most conveniently suspended from the principal structural ceiling by wire cables 13 and a connected network of lightweight girders or runners 14. These runners 14 may be standard T runners as shown in the preferred embodiments and which provide oppositely extending horizontal flanges 16 for making a splined union with adjacent ceiling tiles shown at 17.

This invention contemplates the use of the runner flanges 16 as the principal means of support for an air distribution or return unit 10. To make the necessary connection to the runner flanges 16, the air distribution or return units 10 employ built-in attachment clips shown generally at 18 which may be readily positioned for engaging the runner flanges with a minimum of external disturbance. The result is an improved efficiency of installation and added flexibility of operation.

Referring more specifically to the details of this invention, it can be seen in FIGURE 1 that an associated inner ceiling involves a plurality of ceiling modules 19 made of mineral tile interlocked to form a continuous finished surface. These modules comprise ceiling tiles 17 and air distribution units 10 arranged in rectangular fashion to accommodate the ventilation requirements of the associated office, plant or facility. Also, in FIGURE 1, the air supply system is indicated and consists generally of an air supply duct 21 and connecting distribution tubings 22 conducting to each of the air distribution units.

The air supply system is shown in greater detail in FIGURE 2. Here, the supply duct 21 is concealed in the space behind the false ceiling and is connected to the principal ceiling 12. To aiford flexibility in alignment, the interconnecting tubing 22 has a flexible or accordionlike structure. This flexibility also compensates for adjustably positioning the supply duct 21 relative to the intended location of the air distribution unit 10.

Referring to FIGURES l and 2 in conjunction with FIGURE 3, an attachment clip 18 for accomplishing the objects of this invention is shown in greater detail.

In FIGURE 3, the attachment clip 18 is rigidly and permanently mounted at an outlet panel 23 which provides the lower finished surface of the modular distribution unit. Primarily, the panel 23 consists of a relatively thin perforated metallic sheet for providing a substantially uniform air flow into the environment being ventilated. The panel 23 has an upturned edge 24 which abuts directly at the lower surface of the supporting girder or T runner 14. Due to the lightweight nature of the panel 23 an angle reinforcement plate 25 having an upright flange 26 and a base flange 27 is fitted against the upturned edge 24 and the principal face 15 of the panel 23, respectively, and provides increased support for the attachment clip 18.

The attachment clip 18 consists essentially of an upright leg formed by a main body portion or brace piece 28 and a reversely turned leg forming a cantilever piece 29. The cantilever piece 29 is provided to form an acute angle 30 with the brace piece 28, and the entire clip is constructed of a highly resilient metal with the effect that a spring-like relationship exists between the pieces 28 and 29. At the end extremity of the cantilever piece 29, a concave catch or stop 31 is provided for engaging an edge 32 of a cooperable attachment slot 33 formed in a flange 34 on a diffuser shell 35 of the unit 10. The clip 18 has formed thereon a flange 36 offset from the upright leg 28 for abutting the base fiange 27 of the angle plate 25. The clip is spot welded or otherwise attached in firm assembly to the panel 23 at the angle plate 25.

An attachment slot 33 is shown in FIGURE 3 in direct alignment with the attachment clip 18 and is formed within a supporting flange 34 of a diffuser shell 35. The diffuser shell 35 may be seen as the upper section of the distribution unit 19 shown in FIGURE 2. The diffuser shell 35 is supported by a runner flange 16 of a T runner 14. The T runner 14 is supported by a wire cable 13 and is provided with the runner flanges 16 for supporting both the air distribution unit 10 and the adjacent ceiling tiles 17.

It can be seen that pressure applied to the outlet panel 23 will force the attachment clip 18 through the cooperable slot 33 for engaging the edge 32 behind the concave catch or stop 31. This is accomplished only after compressing the cantilever piece 29 relative to the brace piece 28 for developing a spring tension to hold the concave stop 31 in engagement with the attachment slot edge 32.

In FIGURE 4 the attachment clip 18 is shown in full engagement within the slot 33. The cantilever piece 29 is maintained in a spring stressed condition for holding the concave catch 31 into engagement with the edge 32. It can also be seen that the concave catch 31 is positioned relative to the slot 33 for maintaining the upturned edge 24 of the outlet panel 23 in abutment with the lower surface of the T runner 14.

As illustrated in FIGURE 4 the air distribution unit 10 comprises a diffuser shell 35 which is provided with an air inlet 37 intended to conduct directly from the flexible tubing 22. The connection with the tubing 22 is accomplished through an externally protruding screw thread 38.

The rate of air flow through the distribution unit 10 is regulated by an adjustable volume control 39 which may take the form of a conical perforated baflie 41. The airflow control 39 is adjusted by turning the threaded stem 42 within a complementary threaded fixture 43. The adjustment stem 42 may be reached with a standard screwdriver by removing a plug button 44 disposed centrally of the outlet panel 23 and aligned axially with a head 45 of the threaded stem 42.

In another form of the invention, the quick attaching means may take the form shown in FIGURE wherein an attachment clip 46 is utilized for securing the diffuser shell itself into stationary engagement with the T runner 14.

The attachment clip 46 takes the form of a deflection tab 47 which is mounted at the lower surface 48 of the supporting flange 34. The deflection tab 47 is rigidly mounted at the supporting flange 34 or may be formed integrally therewith. The point of mounting is at 49 intermediate the lower surface 48 of the flange 34 and a brace piece 51. The deflection tab 47 is connected by means of a hinge 52 to the vertical leg or brace piece 5 51, the hinge 52 consisting of a semi-perforated crease shown at 51. The tab 47 has a tapered face 53 forming a Wedging edge intermediate the tab 47 and the flange 48.

Thus, the deflection tab 47 may be selectively twisted about the hinge 52 into the positions shown in FIGURE 5 for clamping the runner flange 16 between the support flange 34 and the tapered face 53. In this way any possible vertical motion associated with the operation of the diffuser unit can be eliminated.

With the diffuser shell 35 firmly positioned through the use of the deflection tab 47, the outlet panel 23 may be quickly positioned against the lower surface of the T runner flange 16 and readily assembled therewith by the attachment clip 18, as shown in FIGURE 3, or by the alternate provision illustrated in FIGURE 6.

As shown in FIGURE 6, a support bracket 54 is suspended from the upper wall of the diffuser shell 35 by means of a plurality of fasteners 55. A permanent magnet 56 is mounted on the bracket 54 for engaging the adjoining surface of the panel 23. A permanent magnet 56 is employed at opposite sides of the diffuser shell 35 for firmly grasping the panel 23 and maintaining the upturned edge 24- against the lower surface of the T runners 14 so that the surface of the panel 23 will be flush with the ceiling.

Referring to FIGURE 7, the bracket 54 consists of a C-frame having oppositely directed feet 57 for being secured to the diffuser shell 35. It may be noted that a reinforcement plate 58 is provided intermediate the feet 57 for offering additional support to the fastener connections as at 59. Furthermore, the permanent magnet 56 is secured to the bracket 54 by a plurality of fasteners 61. Also, the magnet 56 is relatively elongated for providing a comparatively extensive action surface 62 for engaging the pan-el 23.

It should be understood that if the units 18 are used as returns, they can be connected to a return duct by a flexible connector or they may simply communicate with a return plenum above the false ceiling in which event the flexible connector is omitted.

It will be understood that various modifications may be suggested by the embodiments disclosed, but we desire to claim within the scope of the patent warranted hereon all such modifications as come within the scope of our invention.

We claim as our invention:

1. In a modular ventilating system, a network of substantially stationary spaced runner members having runner flanges extending therefrom, a ventilating unit comprising:

a diffuser shell having an opening for being connected to a source of pressured air or to an air return and a diffuser panel disposed opposite said opening for forming a plenum therewith and plural air passages extending therethrough for uniformly distributing air therefrom when used as an outlet,

said diffuser shell having a diffuser support flange formed at opposite sides thereof overlying said runner flanges of said spaced runner members,

attachment clips disposed at opposite sides of said- 65 diffuser shell for maintaining said diffuser support flanges seated at said runner flanges,

each of said attachment clips having a brace piece mounted at said support flanges and having a tab for being bent relative to said brace piece to engage and disengage said runner flanges.

2. In a modular ventilating system, a network of substantially stationary spaced runner members having runner flanges extending therefrom, a ventilating unit comprising:

a diffuser shell having an inlet for being connected to a source of pressurized air and an outlet panel disposed opposite said inlet for forming a plenum therewith and having plural air passages extending therethrough,

said diffused shell having a diffuser support flange formed at opposite sides thereof for overlying said runner flanges of said spaced runner members,

attachment clips disposed at opposite sides of said diffuser shell for maintaining said diffuser support flanges seated at said runner flanges,

said attachment clips having a brace piece rigidly and permanently mounted at said diffusersupport flange, and

a deflection tab formed integrally with said brace piece for being bent relative to said brace piece to engage and disengage said runner flanges.

3. In a modular ventilating system, a network of substantially stationary spaced runner members having runner flanges extending therefrom, a ventilating unit comprising:

a diffuser shell having an inlet for being connected to a source of pressurized air and an outlet panel disposed opposite said inlet for forming a plenum therewith and having plural air passages extending therethrough for uniformly distributing air therefrom,

said diffuser shell having a diffuser support flange formed at opposite sides thereof for overlying said runner flanges of said spaced runner members,

attachment clips disposed at opposite sides of said diffuser shell for maintaining said diffuser support flanges seated at said runner flanges,

said attachment clips having a brace piece rigidly and permanently mounted at said diffuser support flange and being substantially perpendicular therewith, and

a deflection tab formed integrally with saidbrace piece and having a tapered face forming together with said diffuser support flange a wedge-like throat for receiving said runner flange by a bending action relative to said brace piece.

4. In a modular ventilating system, a network of substantially stationary spaced runner members having runner flanges extending therefrom, a ventilating unit comprising:

a diffuser shell having an inlet for being connected to a source of pressurized air and an outlet panel disposed opposite said inlet for forming a plenum therewith and having plural air passages extending therethrough for uniformly distributing air therefrom,

said diffuser shell having diffuser support flanges formed at opposite sides thereof for overlying a first surface of said runner flanges of said spaced runner members,

attachment clips disposed at opposite sides of said diffuser shell for maintaining said diffuser support flanges seated at said runner flanges,

said attachment clips having a brace piece rigidly and permanently mounted at said diffuser support flange and being substantially perpendicular therewith,

a deflection tab formed integrally with said brace piece and having a tapered face forming together with said diffuser support flange a wedge-like throat,

said deflection tab engaging and disengaging a second surface of said runner flange by a bending action relative to said brace piece,

whereby said runner flange may be clamped between said diffuser support flange and said deflection tab.

5. In a modular ventilating system as defined in claim 4 wherein said ventilating unit has a semi-perforated crease -at said brace piece forming a hinge intermediate said brace piece and said deflection tab for prescribing a predetermined bending action of said deflection tab relative to said brace piece.

6. In the combination of claim 1 wherein said diffuser unit has a diffuser support flange cooperable with said suspension rails,

said attachment clip having a brace piece rigidly and permanently mounted at said diffuser support flange and being substantially perpendicular therewith,

a deflection tab form-ed integrally with said brace piece and having a tapered face forming together with said diffuser support flange a wedge-like throat,

said attachment clips clamping said suspension rails between said diffuser support flange and said deflection tab for locking said diffuser unit within said network of suspension rails.

7. In a modular ventilating system, a network of substantially stationary spaced runner members having runner flanges extending therefrom, a ventilating unit comprising:

a diffuser shell having an inlet for being connected to a source of pressurized air,

a bracket support mounted at the interior of said diffuser shell and a permanent magnet carried by said bracket support,

an outlet panel disposed opposite said inlet and having a paramagnetic portion cooperable with said magnet for being held in position thereby,

said diffuser shell having a diffuser support flange formed at opposite sides thereof for overlying said runner flanges of said spaced runner members,

attachment clips disposed at opposite sides of said diffuser shell for maintaining said diffuser support flanges seated at said runner flanges,

each of said attachment clips having a brace piece mounted at said support flanges and having a tab for being bent relative to said brace piece to engage and disengage said runner flanges.

8. In a modular ventilating system, a network of substantially stationary spaced runner members having runner flanges extending therefrom, a ventilating unit comprising:

a diffuser shell having an inlet for being connected to a source of pressurized air,

bracket supports mounted at the interior of said diffuser shell and a permanent magnet carried by each of said bracket supports,

an outlet panel disposed opposite said inlet and having a paramagnetic portion cooperable with said magnet for being held in position thereby,

said diffuser shell having a diffuser support flange formed at opposite sides thereof for overlying said runner flanges of said spaced runner members,

attachment clips disposed at opposite sides of said diffuser shell for maintaining said diffuser support flanges seated at said runner flanges,

said attachment clips having a brace piece rigidly and permanently mounted at said diffuser support flange and being substantially perpendicular therewith, and a deflection tab formed integrally with said brace piece and having a tapered face forming together with said diffuser support flange a wedge-like throat for receiving said runner flange by a bending action relative to said brace piece.

9. In a modular ventilating system, a network of substantially stationary spaced runner members having runner flanges extending therefrom, a ventilating unit comprising:

a diffuser shell having an inlet for being connected to a source of pressurized air and an outlet panel disposed opposite said inlet for forming a plenum therewith and having plural air pas-sages extending therethrough for uniformly distributing air therefrom, said diffuser shell having a diffuser support flange formed at opposite sides thereof for overlying said runner flanges of said spaced runner members,

said diffuser support flanges having an attachment slot formed therein and said outlet panel having a first at tachment clip permanently and rigidly mounted thereon for being received through said attachment slot,

said first attachment clip forming a spring-loaded lock for securing said outlet panel relative to said diffuser shell,

a second attachment clip disposed at opposite sides of said difluser shell and maintaining said difliuser support flanges seated at said runner flanges,

each of said attachment clips having a brace piece mounted at said support flanges and having a tab for being bent relative to said brace piece to engage and disengage said runner flanges.

10. In a ventilating system as described in claim 9,

wherein said first attachmentclip comprises:

a brace piece extending from the upper surface of said outlet panel and a cantilever piece extending from the outermost end of said brace piece and extending obliquely inwardly of said outlet panel,

said cantilever piece terminating in an outwardly facing concave catch,

said brace piece together with said cantilever piece inserted within said attachment slot for engaging said concave catch therein.

11. In a modular ventilating system, a network'of substantially stationary spaced runner members having runner flanges extending therefrom, a ventilating unit comprising:

a diffuser shell having an inlet for being connected to a source of pressurized air and an outlet panel disposed opposite said inlet for forming a plenum therewith and having plural air passages extending therethrough for uniformly distributing air therefrom,

said diflfuser shell having a diffuser support flange formed at opposite sides thereof for overlying said runner flanges of said spaced runner members, said diffuser support flanges having an attachment slot formed therein and said outlet panel having a first attachment clip permanently and rigidly mounted I thereon for being received through said attachment slot,

said first attachment clip having a first brace piece extending from the upper surface .of said outlet panel and a spring formed cantilever piece extending from the outermost end of said first brace piece and extending obliquely inwardly of said outlet panel,

said cantilever piece terminating in an outwardly facing concave catch,

said first brace piece together with said cantilever piece inserted within said attachment slot for engaging said concave catch therein,

a second attachment clip disposed at opposite sides of said diffuser shell for maintaining said diffuser support flanges seated at said runner flanges,

said second attachment clip having a second brace piece rigidly and permanently mounted at said diffuser support flange and being substantially perpendicular therewith,

a deflection tab formed integrally with said second brace piece and having a tapered face forming together with said support flange a Wedge-like throat,

said deflection tab engaging and disengaging saidrunner flange by being bent relative to said second brace piece.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,701,998 4/1959 Wulle 98-40 2,954,201 9/ 1960 Pascucci et a1. 248-343 2,978,573 4/ 1961 Kalbrummer 248343 X 3,187,660 6/1965 Lazerson 98-40 3,250,204 5/1966 Zurawski 98-40 ROBERT A. OLEARY, Primary Examiner.

W. E. WAYNER, Assistant Examiner. 

1. IN A MODULAR VENTILATING SYSTEM, A NETWORK OF SUBSTANTIALLY STATIONARY SPACED RUNNER MEMBERS HAVING RUNNER FLANGE EXTENDING THEREFROM, A VENTILATING UNIT COMPRISING: A DIFFUSER SHELL HAVING AN OPENING FOR BEING CONNECTED TO A SOURCE OF PRESSURED AIR OR TO AN AIR RETURN AND A DIFFUSER PANEL DISPOSED OPPOSITE SAID OPENING FOR FORMING A PLENUM THEREWITH AND PLURAL AIR PASSAGES EXTENDING THERETHROUGH FOR UNIFORMLY DISTRIBUTING AIR THEREFROM WHEN USED AS AN OUTLET, SAID DIFFUSER SHELL HAVING A DIFFUSER SUPPORT FLANGE FORMED AT OPPOSITE SIDES THEREOF OVERLYING SAID RUNNER FLANGES OF SAID SPACED RUNNER MEMBERS, ATTACHMENT CLIPS DISPOSED AT OPPOSITE SIDES OF SAID DIFFUSER SHELL FOR MAINTAINING SAID DIFFUSER SUPPORT FLANGES SEATED AT SAID RUNNER FLANGES, EACH OF SAID ATTACHMENT CLIPS HAVING A BRACE PIECE MOUNTED AT SAID SUPPORT FLANGES AND HAVING A TAB FOR BEING BENT RELATIVE TO SAID BRACE PIECE TO ENGAGE AND DISENGAGE SAID RUNNER FLANGES. 